Category: Editor’s Pick

12 Best Breakfasts To Start Your Day Like A Typical Local

The concept of brunch –  sipping a cuppa in between mouthfuls of “insta-worthy” eggs benedict in a café ornamented with wooden furniture – has evolved into a millennial lifestyle. Brunch is now everyone’s favourite meal of the day, and our city is abuzz with an abundance of cafés serving beautifully plated food. While we wholly embrace this global trend, it should not keep us away from our local breakfast spread.

From good ol’ kaya toast to a fluffy egg prata, these are some humble and familiar food options that are authentically Singaporean. Take a step back from the hype of fancy cafés and fusion cuisines, we’ve compiled 12 of our favourite places for your local brekkie fix. One more thing: they are all open before 11 am. Sometimes breakfast is better than brunch.

1. Keng Wah Sung

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Chen Shun Mei Tau Huay

[caption id="attachment_8446" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: slurploveforfood[/caption]

The pudding-like beancurd (think Lao Ban) craze once hit our shores and drove Singaporeans to queue for hours on end. However, it couldn’t stand the test of time in the end.

At the end of the day, we will always go back to our traditional tau huay. Tau huay is the ultimate comfort food and there’s no better way to start your day than with a warm bowl of velvety goodness dosed in sugar syrup. This traditional offering at Chen Shun Mei has an impeccably silky texture and a homely taste to match.

Chen Shun Mei Tau Huay
Address: Serangoon Gardens Market & Food Centre, 49A Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 550267
Operating Hours: 08:00 – 20:00 (Tue-Sun)

3. Selera Rasa Nasi Lemak

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Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh

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There’s something about steamed rice cakes and chye poh (preserved radish) eaten together that makes it so divine. This unassuming local delight deserves more love than it gets, and Ghim Moh is a long-time bigwig in the chwee kueh scene.

Helmed by the original owner who has 37 years of experience under his belt, rest assured that the quality of this traditional treat will always be top notch – the saltiness of their chye poh complements the supple rice cakes perfectly.

Ghim Moh Chwee Kueh
Address: Ghim Moh Road Market and Food Centre, Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road #01-31, Singapore 270020
Operating hours: 06:00 – 19:00 (Daily)

5. Zhen Zhen Porridge

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Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata

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Needless to say, a staple in our local food culture. Think fluffy-on-the-inside-crispy-on-the-outside prata dipped in a tangy curry sauce. The dough is made in house, and Mr Mohgan has over 30 years of prata-making experience.

They have the standard plain, egg, mushroom and cheese variations, but we recommend the kosong prata which is the crispiest out of the lot. Their freshly made pratas and fragrant curry have won the hearts of prata lovers all over Singapore.

Mr & Mrs Mohgan’s Super Crispy Roti Prata
Address: Poh Ho Restaurant, 7 Crane Road, Singapore 429356
Operating Hours: 06:30 – 13:30 (Closed Tue & Wed)

7. Tian Tian Lai (Come Daily) Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee

[caption id="attachment_8457" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: thick yellow noodles and bee hoon is perfect to soak up the fragrant gravy at Tian Tian Lai. Forget chopsticks, scoop your noodles up with a soup spoon for a mouthful of rich, flavourful gooiness.

Apart from seafood, pork lard is also fried together with the mee for added depth in flavour. They serve $4, $5 and $10 portions so you can slurp to your heart’s content!

Tian Tian Lai Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
Address: 127 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #02-27 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre, Singapore 310127
Operating Hours: 09:30 – 21:00 (Daily)

8. Ghim Moh Carrot Cake

[caption id="attachment_8458" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Ghim Moh Carrot Cake
Address: #01-16, Blk 20 Ghim Moh Road Market & Cooked Food Centre, 20 Ghim Moh Road, Singapore 270020
Operating Hours: 06:30 – 12:00 (Tue-Sun)

9. Serangoon Gardens Bakery and Confectionery

[caption id="attachment_8459" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: Chomp Chomp.

This traditional bakery kneads and prepares their own dough, and bakes over ten variations of old school buns and cakes everyday. Do drop by early to try their best-sellers; the potato curry buns and luncheon meat buns! These hot favourites are usually sold out by noon.

Serangoon Gardens Bakery and Confectionery
Address: #01-45, Serangoon Garden Market and Food Centre, 49A Serangoon Garden Way
Operating Hours: 0700 – 1200 (or when buns are sold out, closed on Mon)

10. Hill Street Tai Hwa Pork Noodle

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[caption id="attachment_8462" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Source: churros and we Singaporeans have our you tiao, a local equivalent. You tiao (fried dough fritter) has been a breakfast staple for as long as we can remember.

Best savoured with kopi or a warm cup of soya milk, the handmade you tiao at Xin Xin has a crispy exterior and also comes with a generous spread of kaya on the side. Truly is the epitome of shiok.

Xin Xin You Tiao
Address: Hainanese Village Food Centre, Blk 105 Hougang Ave 1 #02-19, Singapore 530105
Operating Hours: 06:00 – 11:00 (Closed on Mon)

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so do it right with these delish, time-tested local treats. No one deserves to stomach a mouthful of disappointment first thing in the morning!

(Header image source: foreword)

Also read: Hipster Hawkers: 5 Stalls That Are Redefining Hawker Culture

Pan Pacific Oyster Buffet! All You Can Eat From $49++ Per Person

Calling all Oyster lovers! Pan Pacific Oyster buffet is back again this year, at 10 at Claymore, Pan Pacific Singapore, for the entire months of June and July 2016.

Pan Pacific Oyster Buffet – Oyster Occasions

Bringing oyster heaven to our sunny island, Oyster Occasions is truly a once in a lifetime experience. Take your taste buds on an around the world adventure with oysters air flown from 5 different countries worldwide. These oysters are handpicked by professionals and are freshly shucked to ensure ultimate quality and freshness.

Oyster varieties

Dive into the divine taste of the Canadian Fanny Bay Pacific Oyster which hails from the waters of Baynes Sound, located east of Vancouver island. Or try other popular oyster choices such as the salty US Pacific Oyster, the succulent Irish Premium Oyster or the well known, juicy French Normandie Oyster. All of which, will be available, fresh, at the Oyster Occasions Buffet.

Seafood spread – lobsters, sashimi & more!

If that’s not enough, there will also be a glorious spread of seafood on ice, for all seafood lovers. There is a wide range of different kinds of seafood. This includes a sumptuous spread of Boston Lobsters, fresh Sashimi and Queen Roe Scallops.

To add on to the delightful buffet spread, guests can also have a portion of the US Angus Beef from the ‘live’ carving station. As for dessert, guests will be treated to a pleasant Lemongrass and Ginger Ice Cream on Crepe.

Well, what are you waiting for? Join this gastronomical affair now!

Reservation

To make a reservation, you can call +65 6831 6686, drop an email to [email protected], book online through the Pan Pacific Singapore Website.

Details

Oyster Occasions 
Address: 10 at Claymore, Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore 229540
Tel: +65 6831 6686
Email: [email protected]
Dates: 1 June to 31 July 2016, dinner buffet only
Opening hours for dinner: 6PM to 10:30PM
Price:
– All prices quoted are subject to GST and service charge
– Double Happiness Dinner Special* – Two persons for SGD98 (Mondays to Wednesdays only)
– Dinner – SGD68 per person (Thursdays to Sundays)

*Double Happiness Dinner Special includes both Oyster Occasions and Penang Fiesta specialities.

(Header image credits: hungryaustralian.com, words by author)

Also read: Enjoy Oysters From All Over The World! You’ll Have A Shell Of A Time.

8 Best Laksa In Singapore For Thick, Flavourful & Spicy Broth

When you hear the words “Singaporean Food”, what comes to mind? Chilli crab, curry fish head, prawn noodles or chicken rice? Well, for all of you out there who thought of laksa, we’re sure you’ve already eaten at a good number of laksa stalls in Singapore. But with that signature coconut aroma, thick spicy broth, and delicious noodles, there’s no hum having more right?

Here are the 8 must-try laksa stalls in Singapore that you’ll never get tired of.

1. 328 Katong Laksa

328 Katong Laksa has been around for as long as all of us can remember. Their signature short noodles that can be scooped with just a spoon and delicious laksa fragrance are just 2 reasons why they’re so famous. What’s the real reason for 328 Katong Laksa’s long queues? Well, they have nailed the most important aspect of laksa. The broth.

328 Katong Laksa has found the perfect balance of coconut and milk. This is what brought success to the store. It even led them to beat world renowned chef Gordon Ramsay in the Singtel Hawker Heroes Challenge back in 2013. You can’t call yourself a true laksa lover if you haven’t had the laksa here before.

328 Katong Laksa
Address: 53 East Coast Road Singapore 428771
Opening Hours: Daily 10am-10pm
Price: Small $5, Large $7

2. Roxy Laksa

Another famous Katong Laksa in Singapore is Roxy Laksa, which started as a little stall at Roxy Cinema. Back in those days, instead of popcorn or nachos, movie goers would grab a bowl of laksa before they went to catch their movies. What makes Roxy Laksa different from the crowd? They do not add cockles. Yup, that’s right. No cockles but still a delightful bowl of laksa. With their fresh prawns, fish cakes and thick noodles, Roxy Laksa is definitely a must-try!

Roxy Laksa
Address: East Coast Lagoon Food Village, 1220 East Coast Parkway Singapore 468960
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 10:30am-9pm, Sat & Sun 8:30am-9pm
Price: $4

3. 928 Yishun Laksa

Laksa lovers who stay in Yishun would know this stall. Located just a short 5 minutes walk from Yishun MRT station, this famous laksa stall is not to be missed. At just $2.80 a bowl, 928 Yishun Laksa is one of the cheapest in Singapore. What’s better is that the ingredients used are not cheapo pre-packed fish cakes and toufu. The cockles, crab sticks, beansprouts and other ingredients you’ll find in the bowl are all fresh and cooked to yummy perfection. Talk about cheap and good!

928 Yishun Laksa
Address: 928 Yishun Central #01-155 Singapore 760928
Opening Hours: Tue to Sun 11am-7pm
Price: Small $2.80, Large $3.30

4. Janggut Laksa

Yet another katong laksa on the list is the famous Janggut Laksa. Located beside an outlet of 328 Katong Laksa in Queensway Shopping Centre, it is definitely the clash of two titans. Janggut Laksa is a strong laksa contender at Queensway. Just like the original katong laksa, the bee hoon can be scooped with a spoon. The broth here is neither too rich nor overpowering and the level of spiciness can be adjusted based on the amount of chilli mixed. Overall, we feel that 328 Katong Laksa and Janggut Laksa are pretty evenly matched. Which one is better? You tell us!

Janggut Laksa
Address: Queensway Shopping Centre Singapore 149053
Opening Hours: Daily 11am-9pm
Price: Small $4, Medium $5, Large $6

5. Sungei Road Laksa

Probably the only stall in Singapore that cooks laksa the traditional way, over a charcoal flame, Sungei Road Laksa is well known among laksa lovers. Because it’s cooked traditionally, the laksa really brings a taste of the past. The gravy has a strong aroma of dried shrimp and is overall, not too spicy. One small bowl will only set you back $3. The queue can get pretty long so if you’re planning on heading down, get ready to wait. But for a bowl of such goodness, that wait is definitely worth it!

Sungei Road Laksa
Address: Jin Shui Kopitiam, 27 Jalan Berseh #01-100 Singapore 200027
Opening Hours: Daily 9:30am-5pm, Closed on Wednesdays
Price: $3

6. Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa

For a different kind of Laksa, this is definitely a must-try. Located along Depot Road, this laksa stall is frequented by many. What makes the laksa here stand out from the rest? It is served in a claypot! The hot claypot keeps the soup and noodles warm longer. The gravy is also thick and creamy, and is filled with delicious cockles, prawns and fish cakes. If you haven’t had laksa in a claypot before, you’ve got to try this one!

Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa
Address: Fine Taste Eating House, 119 Buket Merah Lane 1, #01-40 Singapore 151119
Opening Hours: Daily 9am-5pm
Price: Small $3.50, Medium $4.50, Large $5.50

7. Red Hornbill

Red Hornbill is famous in Singapore for a really different kind of laksa. Instead of the usual thick broth and cockles, Red Hornbill serves the Sarawak version of laksa. The laksa gives off an aroma of spices and herbs, and the broth is mixed with curry, chicken and prawn stock. It is then topped with beehoon, chicken chunks and prawns. The queue can get pretty long at Red Hornbill, but for a chance to try this hidden gem, it’s definitely worth the wait!

Red Hornbill
Address: 205 Bedok North Street 1 #01-357, Singapore 460205
Opening Hours: Tues-Sun 11am-2pm, 4pm-8:30pm, Closed on Mondays
Price: $5

8. Penang Kitchen

For a taste of Malaysia’s Penang Assam Laksa, Penang Kitchen is the best. It is a clash of 3 big flavours, sweet, sour and spicy, all in one bowl. The broth is made with fish stock and different fiery chillis are added. The main feature of Penang Kitchen’s laksa is also the prawn paste that is mixed into the broth, which brings an intensely sweet flavour to the dish. All in all, Penang Kitchen serves a mean bowl of Penang Assam Laksa and if you’re planning on heading down, get ready for a flavourful treat!

Penang Kitchen
Address: 5 Coronation Road, #01-05 Coronation Arcade, Singapore 437066
Opening Hours: Daily 10:30am-9:30pm
Price: $8.30

Have a yummier laksa stall in your neighbouthood? Let us know! There’s nothing more comforting that a warm good bowl of laksa on a rainy or bad day.

(Header image from sbs.com.au, words by author)

Also read: Do It Yourself! 6 Eateries Where You Can Customise Your Own Food

Under $15 Best Food Places That Make Our Hearts Go Bedok Bedok!

Damn, Discover SG! Back at it again with the food lists!

Take our hands cos we’re taking you on a journey through Bedok, a residential heartland in the East filled with amazing food at very affordable prices. Known for several famous hawker stalls, Bedok has also seen a rise in cafes shooting up like beansprouts.

So instead of listless (pun intended) scrolling/swiping through random listicles, we’ve carefully curated the 10 places you should definitely check out in the area. Be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there is certainly no shortage of options! Thank us later.

1. Nakhon Kitchen

The Nakhon Kitchen chain and Thai food has been synonymous. You just can’t separate the two. Offering killer prices with consistently good authentic food, it’s hardly any wonder why there are long queues almost every day. The best part, no GST and service charge!

Nakhon Kitchen
Address: #01-166, 136 Bedok North Avenue 3, S 460136
Opening Hours: Daily: 12 – 3pm; 5.30pm – 10pm
Tel: 6245 5548

2. Syed Restaurant

Simpang Bedok is home to an entire stretch of halal restaurants, but none of them can beat Syed Restaurant for “best late-night prata”. Aside from crispy flatbreads, this eatery also serves a full slate of Indian-Muslim dishes. Open 24 hours, your supper cravings will not go unsatisfied.

Syed Restaurant
Address: 326 Bedok Road, S 469496
Opening Hours: Daily: 24 hours
Tel: 6242 5412

3. The Burning Oak

The Bedok Marketplace is a very “atas” hawker center, so there are no surprises here that the food would also get the same pharaonic treatment. Follow the aroma of searing meat to the Burning Oak, a rustic yet modern food joint serving charcoal grilled Yakitori. Mouth-wateringly delicious, you’ll never go back to Tori-Q again.

The Burning Oak
Address: #02-16, Bedok Marketplace, 348 Bedok Road, S 469560
Opening Hours:
Tue – Thurs: 12 – 1.30pm; 6pm – 9.30pm
Fri – Sun: 12 – 1.30pm; 6pm – 10pm
Contact: 9873 6093

4. Percolate

Unlike the many many slew of cafes here in our tiny island, Percolate’s menu is friendly. Wallet friendly, that is. Despite food items being relatively cheap, food quality isn’t compromised. An awesome place for a light chill brunch or to grab a quick hot Papa Pahelta!

Percolate
Address: #01-152, 136 Bedok North Avenue 3, S 460136
Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed – Fri: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Sat – Sun: 9am – 9.30pm
Tel: 8259 0316

5. Sarah’s The Pancake Café

Good news to the Muslim pancake-loving community, this is a halal pancake restaurant (wow!). Sarah’s is home to fluffy brown pancakes, tasty crepes, and delectable pastas. But what’s so special about this place? Well, cafe owner Alina spices up the menu with local flavours using ingredients such as Gula Melaka, Otah, and Red Bean Paste.

Sarah’s The Pancake Cafe
Address: #01-062, East Village, 430 Upper Changi Road, S 487048
Opening Hours:
Mon – Thurs: 11.15am – 10pm
Fri: 2.30pm – 10.30pm
Sat – Sun: 9am – 10.30pm
Tel: 9688 4163

6.To-gather Café

Don’t you just love it when cafes start springing up in our heartlands? As compared to the town area, rental prices are kept much lower at heartlands so cafes are able to charge lower prices (to the delight of foodies). Speaking of low prices, To-gather is a no GST (yes lah!) food joint serving foodgasmic Western delights and artisanal coffee. Hurray to penny pinchers!

To-gather Cafe
Address: #01-25/27, 84 Bedok North Street 4, S 460084
Opening Hours: Tues – Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: 6445 1011

7. Refuel Café

The last café in this list, Refuel boasts a casual vibe with plenty of natural sunlight for that perfect Instagram shot. I use ‘affordable’ a lot (hey, who can blame me when it’s true!), so I’ll change my tune by saying that the food menu is value-for-money. For a wholesome and hearty meal, look no further.

Must try: Full Tank ($13.90);

Refuel Cafe
Address: #01-3029, Blk 744 Bedok Reservoir Road, S 470744
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed – Sun: 11am – 10pm
Tel: 6448 0015

8. Pin Xiang Chicken Rice

It’s hard to miss this one, for this chicken rice stall generates a bustling long queue during lunch and dinner hours. The stall is true to its name (Pin Xiang means fragrant in Mandarin) with both the rice and chicken being extremely well prepared. I would consider this to be one of the best chicken rice stalls in Singapore.

Pin Xiang Chicken Rice
Address: #01-03, Blk 208B, Bedok Interchange Food Centre, New Upper Changi Road, S 460207
Opening Hours: Daily: 9am – 10pm

9. Xing Ji Rou Cuo Mian

The highlight of this humble list and one of my favourites of all-time, Xing Ji Bak Chor Mee is like seriously out of this world! The 30-45 minutes wait is well worth it. There’s only a soup version but the soup/broth is rich and immaculate. It outshines the meatballs and noodles by a mile. Tip: order more than 1 bowl.

Xing Ji Rou Cuo Mian
Address: #01-07, 85 Fengshan Food Centre, Blk 85 Bedok North Street 4, S 460085
Opening Hours: Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun: 2.30pm – 1.30am
Tel: 9835 7884

10. Inspirasi Stall

Inspirasi is a Muslim hawker stall that is well-known with Bedok residents. Here, you can find the legendary Soto Ayam dish, which according to word-of-mouth, is the best in Singapore. Despite winning many awards, prices are still kept low while the food remains scrupulously prepared. Inspirasi is truly inspiring (sorry, I had to).

Inspirasi Stall
Address: #01-11, Blk 207, Bedok Interchange Food Centre, New Upper Changi Road, S 460207
Opening Hours: Mon – Wed, Fri – Sun: 12pm – 12am
Tel: 6589 8494

Yup, that’s your heart going bedok bedok. With choices like these, is it any wonder?

Are there other eateries you think we should have included in the list? Let us know!

Also read: Here’s An Ingenious Way To Easily Save 10% Off Your Dining Bills

Rise Of The Rice Bowls – 9 Bowls That Taste As Good As They Look

They say that a square meal is a nourishing and balanced one that contains enough ingredients and nutrients to satisfy the body. But with the rise of restaurants serving a comprehensive rice bowl fit for a king, you’ll soon be agreeing that circular meals are exactly what you need right now.

From the delightfully delicious ingredients to the delicate crockery that house them, rice bowls makes for an easy and wholesome meal that’s easy on the eyes and stomachs. Here’s our list of some of the prettiest rice bowls we could find.

1. MAY MAY

I run the risk of sounding lame but the first thought that came to my mind is ‘this place very chio’. And you’ll see where I’m coming from once you’ve had a meal there. Natural lighting and living wall facade adorns the minimalistic space, and everywhere you turn is an Instagram spot. But the real star is their lunchtime rice bowls. Opt for the Butter Poached Cod ($18), where tender smooth pieces of cod lie in the midst of wakame, oven roasted tomatoes, grilled mushrooms, pickled lotus root, wasabi sprouts, soft centred egg – the result is a kaleidoscope of colours that’s almost too pretty to eat.

MAY MAY
Address: 65 Tras Street
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 11:30am – 3pm, 6:30pm – 11pm

2. Ninja Bowl

Perhaps the reason why the restaurant is named ‘Ninja’, other than its obvious Japanese influence, is the speed at which you’ll find yourself swiftly clearing the contents of your rice bowl. These hearty and affordable rice bowls come loaded with various protein and a slew of healthy greens, making them a great meal option. The Kabuki bowl ($14) is a safe option with seared honey chicken leg, baby corn, pickled beets, an onsen egg and bean sprouts that come together harmoniously in your mouth.

Ninja Bowl
Address: 15 Duxton Road
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 9:30am – 7:30pm; Sat – Sun: 9am – 6pm

3. Aloha Poké

The funky name reflects the brand’s ethos – bringing fun and fresh Hawaiian flavours into Singapore. They specialise in poké, which for the uninitiated, is a traditional Hawaiian dish where raw seasoned tuna is tossed with sesame seeds, sweet onion and scallions. Served with fresh salad greens, squeeze the wedge of lime provided to awaken the fresh tropical flavours of this dish. This light meal (from $11.90) makes for a great healthy lunch option for all sashimi lovers out there.

Aloha Poké
Address: 92 Amoy Street
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 11pm

4. Tendon Ginza Itsuki

The snaking queue outside this eatery in Tanjong Pagar is testament to the popularity of its tendon – a one-bowl soul food filled with various ingredients deep fried to a delectable golden brown. Step inside and you’ll see most people indulging in their Special Tendon Set ($13.90), where prawns, chicken and vegetables are prepared tempura style. Don’t forget the oozing tempura half-boiled egg that’ll make for a great sauce coating. This might sound like an indulgent bowl of fried food, but you’ll have little regrets once you start eating.

Tendon Ginza Itsuki
Address: 101 Tanjong Pagar Road
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 11:30am – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm

5. Grain Traders

The open interior and open-spaced kitchen makes Grain Traders a welcoming place for a healthy and hearty meal option. Personalise your very own nutritious lunch with their Build-You-Own-Bowl ($16) and choose from the various protein and vegetables that’s freshly prepared in batches. Expect charred furikake corn, seared marinated tuna, apple kimchi and other mouth-watering selections. The only thing you’ll need to worry about is holding up the queue when attempting to choose from their extensive variety.

Grain Traders
Address: 138 Market Street, #01-01/02/03
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 8am – 8pm

6. Nosh

I’m thinking that the restaurant aims to provide nourishing food in a posh setting judging from the earthy wooden furnishing and wholesome menu. Don’t be too quick to dismiss the Yakitori Salmon ($24) as yet another Japanese fare. Nosh brings the usual Japanese flavour up a notch with their thick chunk of salmon resting on a bed of sweet coconut rice and topped with vietnamese caramel, creating a salty-sweet dish that’s unlike any brunch item you’ve had before.

Nosh
Address: 9 Rochester Park
Opening hours: Tue – Fri: 11:30m – 10:30pm; Sat – Sun: 10:am – 10:30pm

7. Superbowl

Inspired by donburis, Superbowl is a concept eatery specialising in rice bowls that are outstandingly fresh and delicious. Their Super Fish Bowl ($20) is the ultimate dish for sashimi lovers, where a selection of salmon, tuna, swordfish and scallop sashimi sits comfortably above a bed of short-grain rice and crowned with a spoonful of fish roe.

Superbowl
Address: 8 Circular Road
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 11:30am – 3pm

8. The Refinery

The minimalist industrial interior of The Refinery plays host to a restaurant/ bar and a co-working space upstairs. I don’t know about you but if I have a restaurant that serves this Gyuniku Donburi ($15) right below my workspace, I’ll have to resist having it for lunch every other day. With fragrant truffled shimeiji mushrooms, shredded tare marinated beef and a runny onsen egg, this rice bowl that’s punctuated with scallions is a well thought-out dish that’ll have you coming back for seconds.

The Refinery
Address: 115 King George’s Ave
Opening hours: Tue – Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am; Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am; Sat: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 1am; Sun: 11am – 4pm

9. Tanuki Raw

Our last restaurant is a heavyweight when it comes to the rice bowl scene in Singapore. Touted as one of Singapore’s best lunch bowls, Tanuki Raw dishes out affordable meals as well as alcoholic drinks. Order the crowd favourite – Truffle Yakiniku ($18) – which features slices of US angus beef short ribs pan seared to perfection and drizzled with truffle soy sauce that’ll make a great accompaniment to the mixed rice.  

Tanuki Raw
Address: 181 Orchard Road
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 11am – 10:30pm

With these photogenic rice bowl options, you’ll have to remember to put down your phone and actually get to eating the meal before it turns cold. Boasting the complete package of both looks and taste, you’ll soon find yourself falling head-over-heels for these rice bowls. 

(Header image: Also read: Food Trend Alert! Are Over The Top Fries The Next Food Craze?

Here’s An Ingenious Way To Easily Save 10% Off Your Dining Bills

When it comes to the end of the month, some of us always have issues with ‘meal budgeting’ (read being broke and hungry).  An eat-out meal can easily cost up to $25 per person and all that MSG from 3 servings of instant noodles per day isn’t the best idea.

Fortunately, at Discover SG, we understand the pain of not being able to enjoy good food! We’ve teamed up with HollerOut, a referral marketing app with some of the best meal deals in town, to bring you 10% discounts off some of your dining bills.

Here are 6 irresistible deals that will do your wallet a big favour. The best part? You will even get rewarded, monetarily, when you refer friends! Read on to find out how this works.

10% off your dining bills at these 6 places

1. Sin Lee Foods

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFTirF1g1oW/?taken-at=327556374&hl=en

Tired of the usual brunch food? Head over to Sin Lee Foods for a one of a kind menu. This cafe boasts beautiful aesthetics and unique creations such as Salted Egg Sweet Potato Fries, Aburi Broccoli, Mentaiko Crab Mantou and many more. The talents of Sin Lee were trained in New York and French kitchens and yes, they sure know a thing or two about flavours.

Sin Lee Foods
Address: Blk 4 Jalan Bukit Ho Swee #01-164
Contact number: +65 6377 3170
Operating hours: Tue-Fri (11am-9pm), Sat (9.30am-9pm), Sun (9.30am-6pm)
Website/Facebook: Sin Lee Foods
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $50 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

2. Maison Ikkoku

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFvOwSjh6sT/?taken-at=214431872&hl=en

What do you get when you combine all day breakfast, gourmet sandwiches, and specialty coffee? And on top of that, a cafe that switches into a cocktail bar when the sun sets. I don’t know what you have in mind but that sure sounds like Maison Ikkoku to me. Located near the Arab Street district, this is the kind of place to dine at after some hipster shopping at Haji Lane.

Maison Ikkoku
Address: 20 Kandahar Street, 198885
Contact number: +65 6294 0078
Operating Hours: Mon- Thu (9am-9pm), Fri – Sat (9am-11pm), Sun (9am-7pm)
Website/Facebook: Maison Ikkoku
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $50 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

3. Rochor Thai

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No flavours are more appetising than sour and spicy and you sure can depend on Rochor Thai for some seriously appetite-arousing Thai dishes in Singapore. Initially a small eatery at Rochor Centre in 2012, this Thai restaurant has successfully charmed many tastebuds with their authentic flavours and is now established firmly at Thomson Road.

Rochor Thai
Address: 275 Thomson Road #01-03 Novena Regency 307645
Contact number: +65 64403270
Operating Hours: Mon- Thu (11.30am-2:30pm, 6:00pm-9:30pm), Fri (11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm- 10pm), Sat-Sun (12pm – 2:30pm, 5:30pm -10pm)
Website/Facebook: Rochor Thai
HollerOut  deal: 10% discount with $50 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

4. On The Table

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Feeling down? Maybe what you need is comfort food prepared with TLC – carefully crafted coffee and some sweet handmade desserts. Look no further, you can get it all at On The Table. Located at Pasir Panjang, this cosy cafe dishes out the best comfort food in generous portions.

On The Table
Address: 118 Pasir Panjang Road, 118541
Contact number: +65 9780 8094
Operating Hours: Tue-Thu (11am-10pm), Fri (11am-10:30pm), Sat (10am-10:30pm), Sun (10am-100pm)
Website/Facebook: On The Table
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $60 min spent, $5 referral fee (code: DISCOVERSG)

5. The Laneway Market

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From casual breakfast to dinner mains, you can count on The Laneway Market for a hearty dining experience. Everything on their menu looks super yum and if you’ve no idea what to choose, we suggest you go for the Dashi Risotto, Truffle Fries or Wagyu Beef Cheeks Aglio Olio. And did we also mention that they bake their own pastries?

The Laneway Market
Address: 266 Tanjong Katong Road Singapore 437053
Contact number: +65 6719 8832
Operating hours: Wed – Sun, 10am-9:30pm
Website/Facebook: The Laneway Market
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $40 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

6. Brother Bird

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Artisanal soft serve ice cream, home made rice donuts (mochi) and a HollerOut discount… need we say more? Just call your friends and head to Brother Bird at Bali Lane. They serve some of the prettiest looking ice cream in town but the matcha mochi balls… literally BURST with matcha lava!!

Brother Bird
Address: 30 Bali Lane Singapore 189866
Contact number: +65 9800 7628
Operating hours: Wed – Mon (12pm-10pm)
Website/Facebook: Brother Bird
HollerOut deal: 10% discount with $55 min spent (code: DISCOVERSG)

How do I use the discount code? Introducing HollerOut

What exactly is HollerOut all about? Basically, HollerOut encourages word of mouth recommendation for cafes and restaurants with a promo code concept.

For example, when I visit Brother Bird, I’ll key in the code ‘DISCOVERSG‘ on the app to get my 10% discount with a minimum spend of $55. After that, I’ll automatically be an ambassador for Brother Bird and will have my very own promo code, which I can share to my friends.

When my friend uses my promo code at Brother Bird, I will be rewarded with a referral fee of $5. Simply, you’ll get a discount by quoting someone else’s code and you’ll even be rewarded monetarily if your referral code is used by your friend.

Can’t wait to enjoy the 10% discount off your dining bill at these 6 places and more? Just follow the following steps to great discounts (and extra pocket money):

1. Download the app (iOs / android) and visit a partner merchant mentioned above
2. Open the merchant’s page in the app, click on ‘Promo Code’
3. Key in ‘DISCOVERSG’ as promo code and pass the phone to the merchant, who will validate the promotion.
4. After a successful transaction, the merchant will give the discount, and in the ‘Home’ tab, you will see a ‘+$5’ in your credit (which you can withdraw anytime)

With nothing to lose, and everything to gain, what are you waiting for? Download the app and go cafe hopping with your friends while enjoying discounts and getting rewarded!

*Referral fee differs from place to place. It isn’t always $5.

Brought to you by Discover SG x HollerOut

(Header image credit: calvinteng, words by editor)

Also read: Join In One Of SG’s Biggest & Best Bazaars – The Market Hop

The Market Hop – Shop The Best 50 F&B & Lifestyle Creators!

Shop the weekend away this 4th and 5th June in two artisanal markets jointly brought to you by APS, DREAM, and The Peak Selections: Gourmet & Travel. With more than 50 F&B and lifestyle vendors at both locations, this event boasts a combined space of more than 80, 000 sq ft.

It is one of the biggest bazaars of the year! You’ll be able to hop from one market to another, with shuttles going back and forth between the two. Be it retail therapy, gourmet bites, or chill out vibes, this is the market you must visit.

Here’s 6 reason why you should get all hyped up about this mega market.

1. You’ll get the best of both brands

With APS teaming up with DREAM to debut a brand new concept, we get the best of both worlds! Yes, two market experiences over one jam-packed weekend.

At APS Lifestyle Gallery, you’ll be able to find leading home appliance brands such as Smeg, Whirlpool, Kuche, Vintec, and Transtherm. While DREAM’s Market brings you unique and affordable designer furniture pieces from 25 exclusive international brands known for its modern design yet classic appeal. GSS comes early when you visit The Market Hop. This is your chance to snag products from brands such as Cassina, Knoll, Cappellini, Living Divani, Porro, and De La Espada, Matthew Hilton, Autoban and many more.

2. You’ll find all types of F&B delights

With more than 30 F&B merchants bringing you mouth-watering delights, you’ll never be hungry. Do come with a huge appetite and savour the goodies from all these vendors. Look out for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants – Candlenut, Korean-Mexican grub by Vatos Urban Taco, Uncle G’s Handmade Signature Crispy Roast Pork, Thai teas by Soi 55,  Bazuka’s yakibuta roast pork, airy crisp choux pastries by Ollella, and the list goes on.

3. Test drive a Mini and stand a chance to win a SMEG toaster

Yes, you read that right. You’ll be able to test drive the MINI Countryman or the NEW MINI Clubman around the River Valley (DREAM) or Martin Place (APS) area! Do be warned, strictly no consumption of booze prior to the drive (they’ve got human breathalysers on standby). Whats more, you’ll stand a chance to win an adorable SMEG Toaster; courtesy of APS Lifestyle when you post the official SMEG x MINI image on your social media account with #TMHSMEGxMINI !

4. Chill out to live bands and guest performances

Whats better than spending your weekend listening to live bands and performances with a bottle of cold beer or cold coffee? Check out the bold and bubbly DJ Sonia Chew from 987fm at the APS Gallery from 2-2.45pm and at DREAM from 3-3.45pm or simply chill out with stellar beats and pulses from live bands.

5. You’ll enjoy market hopping for your favourite merchants

With vendors randomly located at the two markets, you’ll surely experience true market hopping! Hop on the free shuttles throughout the day from 11am to 6pm. The shuttle runs every 15 mins.

At the markets, search for your favourite brands and F&B merchants. Shop through lifestyle brands such as Nana & Bird, and local start-ups – Hush Candles, Basic Beauty, The Letter J Supply and Kuin Studio. These brands specialise quality candles, skincare, calligraphy pieces and concrete homewares respectively.

Well, we won’t know which merchants will be located at which market, so you’ll have to head down to find out! If squeezing in the shuttles turn you off, you can test-drive the MINI to travel from one market to another!

6. There are face painting activities for little ones

Not to worry, The Market Hop has activities planned for the little ones too! Visit the Party Mojo booth at APS and spoil your child with a face painting treat. We’re sure your kids will love this.

Need we say more? Mark your calendars and join The Market Hop for a great time of fun! This is a market definitely not to be missed!

Click DREAM/APS.

4 to 5 June (Sat-Sun)
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 11am-7pm
Location: 9 Muthuraman Chetty Road, Singapore 238931 (Market 1 @ APS Gallery), 456 River Valley Road, Singapore 248342 (Market 2 @Dream)